Downtown Mall Homeless Raise Concerns

A growing number of homeless in charlottesville is causing concerns for businesses.

[Disillusioned]

Ya think? How about NO LOITERING or NO BEGGING laws? If VA Beach can have NO PROFANITY laws, why can't Charlottesville get some back bone? They want to build a shelter/day care for them? Oh jeez. Are you kidding? They can't earn a living there!

[Disillusioned]

And, I'm in Greene County, not MI.

[koko]

If they are allowed to beg, they should buy a business license. Vendors are forced to get a permit, why not the beggers?

[Kevin Lee]

The funny part about this story is the guy crying about the homeless is a major democrat that hosted the end of election night parties for the Loser democrats. Isnt part of Mayor Norris and Periwinkles main objectives to help the homeless and give them freedoms? Yet this hypocrit is on the News crying the blues......Hey idiot, its your party's doings, iF you want to cry and complain call your democrat Mayor buddy and cry to him because thats where the problem begins. Im so sick of the democrat double standard. If it makes you money and its for "the good of humanity" its good but if its not as pleasant a sight or its not making you money you wanna cry and complain. Go "Sips" on some of your nasty wine and have some cheese while you're at it!

[only the truth]

a lot of homeless individuals are mentally ill. They need daily help to advance in living skills.
However, there are also individuals that do not want help, they want handouts and do not like to have curfews etc... follow rules or get couseling they need to change.
They would rather get free cell hpones and play soccer during the day than get the help they need.

[Greene]

We don't have a homeless problem in Greene County, but we are all backward hicks and don't believe in giving handouts to people who don't work. In Greene we believe in working hard, going to church and loving your family and neighbors and don't mind helping each other out, but refuse to be like Charlottesville who wants a welfare state.

[Send Them To Daves House]

The touchy feely libtards led by Dave Norris are to blame. I mean, they advertise the PACEM and the new drop in center which is directly in the middle of downtown and wonder why they have a homeless increase?? Charlottesville...listen up...the mall is about the only cash cow you have. You had BETTER not let it go the way it was in the 80s. I remember those days, a ghost town at night with a collection of thugs and drunks. God help the Police though if they crack down because THEY will be ones seen as the assholes

[Dark Side]

Kevin Lee wrote:

The funny part about this story is the guy crying about the homeless is a major democrat that hosted the end of election night parties for the Loser democrats. Isnt part of Mayor Norris and Periwinkles main objectives to help the homeless and give them freedoms? Yet this hypocrit is on the News crying the blues......Hey idiot, its your party's doings, iF you want to cry and complain call your democrat Mayor buddy and cry to him because thats where the problem begins. Im so sick of the democrat double standard. If it makes you money and its for "the good of humanity" its good but if its not as pleasant a sight or its not making you money you wanna cry and complain. Go "Sips" on some of your nasty wine and have some cheese while you're at it!

I was noticing the same thing which I thought was funny!!! This guy wants to complain yet his liberal friends are the ones allowing the problem. This guy is a major hypocrite!!

[thinking free]

I also remember back then and your correct, it was so deserted it was scary. Even ghost towns have some critters running around. I will say though this problem was going on before Norris came to the helm, the question is will it be here when he leaves. there ain't no easy answer to this problem and it is a big one. I can't even make it onto the mall itself without getting hit up for something. I've seen people sitting down for lunch and having to cough up change for someone standing outside the seating area, how rude is that. Whatever the answer is it ain't gonna be pretty. For now the council probably praying for much colder weather so businesses won't complain as much.

[C-Ville Patriot]

Kevin Lee wrote:

The funny part about this story is the guy crying about the homeless is a major democrat that hosted the end of election night parties for the Loser democrats. Isnt part of Mayor Norris and Periwinkles main objectives to help the homeless and give them freedoms? Yet this hypocrit is on the News crying the blues......Hey idiot, its your party's doings, iF you want to cry and complain call your democrat Mayor buddy and cry to him because thats where the problem begins. Im so sick of the democrat double standard. If it makes you money and its for "the good of humanity" its good but if its not as pleasant a sight or its not making you money you wanna cry and complain. Go "Sips" on some of your nasty wine and have some cheese while you're at it!

Liberals are really good hearted people with other people’s money. But when it affects their pocketbook they tend to forget all of those lessons of compassion they try to shove on the rest of us. Hypocrisy is the liberals dirty little secret.

[out to lunch]

Some folks are homeless because they have no home .
Some folks are homeless because they have no family.
some folks are homeless because they have no money.
some folks are homeless because they don't want home.

If you have a home you must be a good person , but if you have no home you are a scum bag.
but some scum bags have homes? go figure,
Some good folks have homes, so it is only fare to say that some homeless people are good too.
all have sinned and fallen short. yup

[C-Ville Patriot]

out to lunch wrote:

Some folks are homeless because they have no home .
Some folks are homeless because they have no family.
some folks are homeless because they have no money.
some folks are homeless because they don't want home.
If you have a home you must be a good person , but if you have no home you are a scum bag.
but some scum bags have homes? go figure,
Some good folks have homes, so it is only fare to say that some homeless people are good too.
all have sinned and fallen short. yup

But most of the homeless that I see on the mall are able bodied men who when offered a job give out fake resumes or references. Some are in hiding other need drugs I have even seen a few thugs. So you keep making excuses and calling the rest of us names but unless you invite the bums into your own home then its' you a call a shame.

[Ollymo]

This is the #1 reason I DO not visit the downtown mall. I used to have to go down there to pick up my daughter-in-law when she worked at one of the banks on the mall. I had to personally escort her to the car every day because of the bums bothering her, wanting money, wanting to use her cell phone, trying to pick her up. I could not go into CVS without someone asking me for money. I don't care what reason they have for being homeless. It doesn't give them the right to beg for money and harass others. I stopped going to shows at the Paramount because I'd rather go out of town to see them than to fight the crap on the mall. I'm sure I'm not the only person who feels this way.

[mookcollins]

well theirs plentie of emptie housis setin round the countrie. maybie the new goberner mcdonalds will give em sume and throe in a happie meel too. i want chiken nugits with mian.

[confused]

I don't what political party has to do with being homeless. Some have just fallen on hard times. We are too quick to judge. Mind you, there are some out there, that there seems to be no excuse why they don't have a job. With no fixed address, it's almost impossible to obtain employment. Granted, i wouldn't want them hanging in front of my business. I guess i'm blessed to be where i am in life, but still feel sorry for those struggling. They have tried homeless shelters around charlottesville, but some have so many complaints and small petty issues, that's why they are all downtown hanging out. Try helping those that need the help and stop giving those that don't want it all the resources. All you can do is pray

[Captain Obvious]

LOL "Help me! The professional beggars I championed are harasssing my customers!"

That's just frakkin' priceless! Maybe he should call the Norris / Perriello goon squad!

[Moonglow]

Ollymo wrote:

This is the #1 reason I DO not visit the downtown mall. I used to have to go down there to pick up my daughter-in-law when she worked at one of the banks on the mall. I had to personally escort her to the car every day because of the bums bothering her, wanting money, wanting to use her cell phone, trying to pick her up. I could not go into CVS without someone asking me for money. I don't care what reason they have for being homeless. It doesn't give them the right to beg for money and harass others. I stopped going to shows at the Paramount because I'd rather go out of town to see them than to fight the crap on the mall. I'm sure I'm not the only person who feels this way.

Amen! I was in hopes the Paramount would take up the cause for a safe downtown mall. I have attended shows but am very uneasy when going back to my car. I too, do not frequent the downtown mall anymore ...day or night.

[Disillusioned]

I think this calls for another study!

[RNR]

I used to love going downtown and especially enjoy taking my kids but I sure don't feel comfortable anymore, what a shame it is bc downtown has alot to offer and some great things go on down there but the bad over shadows the good. Really a bummer we can't enjoy it anymore, just not comfortable.!

[christians one and all]

I can't believe how mean-spirited the comments on this topic are..and I am sure you are all church-goers.. don't you realize that there but for the grace of God goes YOU? Is it impossible for any of you to imagine a life story that starts out at birth with tradgedy...? It is beyond your abilitly, to feel empathy? Wow, what a bunch of loosers..